Canine costume party has guests howling in Barrington

BARRINGTON — The Barrington Middle School was bouncing with canines, mutts and purebreds, as the local Women's Club held their first annual dog costume contest in honor of Halloween.

Mari Schmalz said the group had about 20 dogs in the contest, and she was thrilled to hold the event to help fund the club's program for high school scholarships. She said she was also excited to see everyone's different attempts for the event, with all the pets dressed in their finest garb.

“We wanted to give the children, and Barrington seniors, more …,” Schmlaz said, on the origins of the event. “My passion is dogs. I have a lot of rescues and I thought well, this would be an awesome way (to raise funds) and (it would) be fun.”

Locals from surrounding towns showed up in their best get-ups.

Labradors Kone and Bode went as groom and bride while Barrington resident Pat Weisberg dressed her golden doodle “Romeo” in a head-to-toe autumn leaf ensemble.

“We actually came to get his good citizenship badge to be a therapy dog,” Weisberg sad. “ … When we heard there was a costume part of it, we said let's resurrect these.”

Romeo was later awarded a proper designation by Canine Good Citizen trainer Diane Ellis.

Dogs competed for eight prizes and the chance to earn titles like scariest, best dressed, cutest and best “paws-onality.”

“He doesn't want to wear the mask so we had to just put on the ears,” she said.

The 7-year-old dog had a black cape draping behind him.

The Caswell cousins, Anna, 10, of Milton,and Emma, 13, of Wakefield, along with the youngest, Abigail, brought their German shepherd Max dressed as the werewolf from Warren Zevon's classic song “Werewolves of London.” They used a smartphone to play the tune loudly and dressed as his companion “Trader Vic's” waitresses, as referenced in the lyrics.

Cheryl Huckins, who has lived in Barrington for 20 years, said she loved to see her grandchildren out with their favorite pet.

“We're together every weekend, and we love Max,” Huckins said. “He's so fun to be with and he plays all our games with us. For a 90-pound dog, he's doing good.”

Eleven-year-old Patty Andersen, of Durham, brought along her Chihuahua-miniature Dachshund “Chedda” dressed as a ladybug. She joked he was a “ladydog” and showed off the costume she made from paper in just a few hours.

Her friend Gwyneth Crossman, 11, said she wanted to be there to support her Patty.